Narcissistic Christianity: David

If you haven't read my previous blog of Joseph, I would start there before reading this blog. My heart is that we, as believers, don't read the bible thinking selfishly or to feed into our egos. I pray that when each of us reads the bible it is sharpening and correction to become more like God. I pray that when we are encouraged by the scriptures we don't make people our enemies, but we do our part to bring unity to the body and bride of Christ.

One of the most talked about people of the Bible is David. He had a boldness to stand up to Goliath, was loved by many, a worshipper, and a man after God’s own heart. I mean who wouldn’t want to be like David even with his faults? Every believer wants the title of being a person after God's heart.

I think the issues arises, once again, when we place ourselves in the persona of David. I could go into all the praise and worship songs that talk about killing "our Goliath" as if glorifying Goliath over our God that is creator of all. I do believe instead of putting on the persona of David and taking his story as our own, we should be looking at the heart posture of David and putting that on.

David “The Anointed One” and “Sheppard” (1 Samuel 16:6-13) - The Lord leaves King Saul and Samuel is told to go anoint another king from the sons of Jesse. Samuel goes through each of the sons, believing them to possibly be "the one", but God says no! David was not present or a thought in anyone's mind. As the youngest of his brothers, He was out tending the sheep while Samuel was looking for the king to anoint.

We learn later in chapter 16 that David also played the harp (lyre) and worshiped God while tending the sheep. In chapter 17, we read that he killed a lion and a bear attempting to eat the sheep David cared for. This tells me that God was preparing Him to be a worshiper in the midst of unfavorable situations and a warrior. It also tells me God was seeking a TRUE SHEPHERD TO SHEPHERD His people. David was willing to save and protect the sheep, so surely He would protect God's sheep (chosen people). He took his job and his relationship with God seriously. When God told Samuel He looks at the heart, not outward appearance, I believe He saw the brave, bold, loving, humble and worshipers heart David had.

David & Saul (1 Samuel 16 -1 Samuel 31)- David and King Saul's relationships expands from the beginning of when we are introduced to David's life until Saul's death in battle. The presence of God leaves King Saul due to His disobedience and pride, and a new king is chosen by God Himself. As David is being anointed as king, people are talking to Saul about him, because they knew his harp playing (worship to God) could drive out the tormenting spirits Saul was dealing with. Verse 21 said Saul loved David, so David became his armor bearer.

In chapter 17, things start to change from a love relationship to Saul hating David . David defeats Goliath, becomes broadies with Jonathan (Saul's son), is successful at whatever Saul gives him, and marries Saul's daughter. The people even begin to sing David's praises. Saul then becomes increasingly jealous and David's harp playing can no longer silence Saul's tormenting spirits.

Saul is out for blood and wants David dead! I am sure something in him knows that David must be who God has chosen next, and wants to protect ''his throne" at all cost. David spends years running and hiding in caves. He has multiple chances to kill Saul, but he did not. He still honored him as God's anointed king. David in this love/hate relationship with Saul continued to show himself as a servant leader who honored King Saul out of his reverence for God. Although David was already anointed by God, he never took the opportunity to take the throne or the glory for himself. His heart posture was one of humility, service, reverence, and friendship.

After both Saul and Jonathan were dead, David took the time to find any living family members to honor them as well.

David & Goliath (1 Samuel 17)- In this chapter David shows his bold, braveness and audacity birth from his admiration and reverence to God Almighty. The Philistines send out a giant to fight their battles. All the men of Israel's mighty army are scared and unwilling to fight him. Then comes David who is only at the battlefield to bring his brothers something to eat. He then hear's Goliath taunting the Children of Israel. I love what David says in 1 Samuel 17:25b, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” In my head I hear David saying, "So ya'll are going to just sit here hiding while this uncircumcised dude talks about our God?"

This shows the faith and belief he had in God. David had a holy fear and awe of God that caused him to boldly defend God's people as he defended the sheep. His boldness is indicative of the time he spent with God and his honor for God. He feared God more than he feared man. King Saul's behavior was indicative of his heart posture as always. Saul feared man more than he feared God which caused him to be scared and often dishonor God.

King David- When David finally became king, he was a good king who honored God. He did have one issue. He liked the ladies a lot. He had wives and concubines, yet still managed to find himself taking another man's wife. The adultery with Bathsheba caused a ripple affect of sin and consequences. He then has his friend and soldier, Uriah killed in battle and the baby Bathsheba was carrying died.

When the prophet Nathan came to rebuke David for his affair and murdering Uriah, David immediately repented. He repented and cried out for God to save his baby. Although, the baby died, David continued to live for God and honor him. David was showing his humility and heart of repentance. He did not allow his sin or mistakes to keep him from doing all that God required of him. When we mess up, we too, should turn to God in humility.

As believers, we can often take on David's life as our own when we feel like we have a giant in our way or an enemy coming for us. I implore you not to just read the stories of David's life and replace his name with yours. David's heart was postured to God, for God, and in humility! Everyday, I remind myself that I get to choose if I want to have the heart posture of Saul or David. I pray that when you read about David, you look at the posture of his heart and choose to follow in the same heart posture towards God.